esperar
/espeˈɾaɾ/
Definition
To wait for someone or something; also, to hope or expect that something will happen.
Example
Ela espera o ônibus na esquina todos os dias.
Show translation
She waits for the bus on the corner every day.
Etymology
From Latin *sperare* ("to hope"), rooted in *spes* ("hope"). The same Latin root gives English "desperate" (without hope) and Spanish *esperar*, Italian *sperare*, and French *espérer* — all sharing the twin meanings of waiting and hoping.
Cultural note
Portuguese is one of the few languages where a single verb covers both "to wait" and "to hope/expect" — a duality that feels natural to native speakers but trips up English learners, who must read context carefully. In Brazil, *esperar* is also widely used in the phrase *espera aí!* ("hang on a sec!"), a ubiquitous filler in casual conversation. Note that in European Portuguese the final -r is typically silent in everyday speech.